viola da gamba

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Mary Pells was educated at the Royal Academy of Music studying cello with Derek Simpson and piano with Jean Harvey. She won awards there for chamber music and gained diplomas on both cello and piano.

Further studies have included musicology with Peter Holman and viola da gamba with Alison Crum. These studies led to an M.A. in early music performance and the development of a busy career playing baroque music on original instruments. She has appeared as viola da gamba soloist with many period instrument groups including the Britten-Pears Baroque Orchestra, Charivari Agréable, the Essex Baroque Orchestra, the Lecosaldi Ensemble and the Sweelinck Ensemble. In addition to this, regular recital work has enabled her to explore and perform a large repertoire of 17th and 18th century solo music for the viol. Recent engagements include solo appearances at the St. Endellion Festival, Cornwall, and lecture recitals in Hong Kong.

Since 2000 Mary has worked for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music as an examiner, and as a mentor on their Certificate of Teaching course. 2009 saw the release of her first CD ‘the Sonatas of J. S. Bach for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord’ with German harpsichordist, Martin Knizia, and this is available on itunes, on Amazon and from this website.